[AbrahamParangi]

No offense but I think this is wrong. We’re trained by society and upbringing to think that only “appeals to management” can effect change- and that “doing it yourself” is amateurish.

There is some truth to this- but the world is entirely run by people who believe they can personally effect change through their actions, everyone else be damned.

[blimey74]

Would you not agree that government ministers who can impose economic sanctions on the Lukashenko regime have more power than regular voters since they sit at the top of the power hierarchy?

[tinco]

They might, or they might not at all. Who knows what government can truly influence that man. Examples plenty of countries being sanctioned that simply ignore the sanctions and do their business elsewhere, or not at all, even if that means their people suffer the consequences.

I definitely support asking our governments to pressure their government. But I wouldn't ignore the fact that people in Belarus are be the ones that might be able to affect real change in Belarus.

[huac]

Economic sanctions will severely hurt individual Belarusians, who are the ultimate consumers of those trade products. It is hard to imagine sanctions improving the quality of life and ability of protestors to communicate with the outside world.

Separately, I would expect American sanctions to push the country towards increased trade with Russia and China -- who are both allies of Lukashenko.

[ClumsyPilot]

You are right, but then you should suggest what you believe we should be doing.

on individual level the best actuon I can think of is donating to help folks that lost and eye or were beaten withing an inch of their life.

Otherwise i am not sure what you could do, perhaps we could send equipment like radios, first aid and body protection / armor? Depending on your views you coupd even post crossbows. Would they arrive through customs, assuming you know who to post them to?

Lastly, you could travel there to join the protests, but realisticaly are you going to do that?

[z3t4]

As a single person your options are to join with others, or buy an army. Not everyone can afford the latter.